Vision Boards: The BFD Moment for Female Founders to Manifest Success

Vision Boards: Your BFD Moment for Manifesting Success

Let’s talk about vision boards—a tool that’s been called woo-woo by skeptics and game-changing by believers. Love them or hate them, these curated collages of your goals, dreams, and wildest ambitions have proven their staying power, especially among trailblazing female founders who know how to turn a vision into reality.

Why are vision boards such a big freaking deal (BFD)? Because they give your goals a visual seat at the table. Neuroscience backs this up: when you repeatedly see images or words representing your aspirations, your brain becomes primed to recognize opportunities to make them happen.

This year, 2025, was the first year in about 10 years that I did not host some sort of workshop to set you up for the new year. I think creating a vision board, setting your goals, or just creating an intention for your year is one of the best things you can do to set yourself up for success. 

Vision Board Examples by Erin Cummings

My 2024 Vision Board | The Theme: Looming Ambition.

This board was all about knowing the end of the yoga studio was near. It was a huge separation from my normal "black is my favorite color self" and needing to make room for the changes that were coming.

I made this one last year at the YESyoga 2024 January Vision Board Workshop

My 2024 Vision Board Part 2 | The Theme: Moving Forward

This board I made with our Yoga Teacher Trainee Team. The idea of the board was all about what happens after they graduate (unfortunately, little did anyone know at the time that the studio was soon closing, except for me.) My board was all about moving forward after the closing. 

Completed in Spring during the final few weekends of the 200hr Yoga Teacher Training Program at YESyoga. YESyoga closed in August 2024.

I really love the creativity that comes with putting these boards together, looking back throughout the year, and seeing the impact that it’s made. I made it a point to sit down this year and work on my 2025 board. 

The Female Founders Who Love Their Vision Boards

Take Oprah Winfrey, for example, who has famously credited vision boards with helping her manifest success. Or Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, who has talked about putting her dreams down on paper—and later watching them come to life. Even Sophia Amoruso, founder of Girlboss, has shared how she uses vision boards to stay focused on her big-picture goals while juggling the chaos of entrepreneurship.

How to Build Your Own BFD Vision Board

If you’re ready to join the ranks of these BFD Female Founders, here’s a simple roadmap to get started on building your own vision board.

1. Find Visuals That Speak to You: Raid magazines, print quotes, or grab a glue stick and scissors. Your board should reflect your vibe—no stock photo perfection required. 

2. Include a Little YES Energy: Add words or images that remind you of your core values—courage, capability, and strength. A nod to the 'Built on YES' mindset can help keep you grounded.

3. Clarify Your Goals: Whether it’s scaling your side hustle, landing more clients, or reclaiming work-life balance, write it down what this board means to you and the goals that you can create from looking at your board. Get specific.

4. Make It Visible: Place your vision board where you’ll see it daily. Whether it’s propped against your desk or a digital Pinterest board, keep those dreams front and center.

2025 Vision Board by Erin Cummings

Here’s a look at my 2025 Vision Board! Theme: My Foundation is Clear

I said in a recent blog that I was really struggling with things as simple as introducing myself. This board, with the cutoff head of a very well-patterned mix woman, feels like what I feel like right now: I look good, but what the f*ck is my name?!?! There are a lot of other little goodies in there too, but you get the picture...

My 2025 Vision Board

Why This Matters

The real magic of a vision board isn’t in the glitter or glue—it’s in the act of putting your goals out there. It’s about giving yourself permission to dream big and take those squirrel jumps (you know, the leaps that feel risky but worth it).

So grab your scissors, your YES mindset, and your biggest, boldest dreams. It’s time to manifest your BFD moment.

Your vision is valid, your hustle is heroic, and your goals are worth the glue stick. You are courageous, capable, and strong BFD--here's to 2025!

---

Would you like a follow-up series on breaking your vision board goals into actionable steps? Let me know, and let’s make those dreams real!